PM Announces 5 More Stimulus Packages of Tk 3200Cr for Poor

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina introduced five new stimulus packages worth Tk 3,200 crore on Tuesday to help people with lower or no income.

According to a PMO media release issued by PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim, these supplies would be utilized to help low-income persons who have been heavily struck by the prolonged lockdown enforced owing to the alarming spread of coronavirus.

Tk 450 crore will be distributed to 1,437,389 day laborers, 235,033 transport workers, 50,445 small businessmen, and 1,603 shipping workers out of the entire sum. Tk 2,500 will be given to 1724,740 individuals.

The government will hold a special 14-day open market sale (OMS) from July 25 to August 7 across the country through 813 centers to help low-income persons living in urban areas. 

According to the press announcement, 20,000 metric tons of rice and 14,000 metric tons of flour worth Tk 150 crore have been set aside for this purpose.

Tk 100 crore has been set aside specifically for deputy commissioners to provide food aid to the destitute through 333 call centers.

The government has set aside Tk 1,500 crore to fund job-creation operations in rural areas through Palli Sanchay Bank, Karmasangsthan Bank, and PKSF.

The money will be given at a 4-percent interest rate, according to the media announcement, and will be in addition to the Tk 3,200 crore given previously.

To cover the salaries and allowances of employees in the tourism sector such as hotels, motels, and theme parks, a loan of Tk 1,000 crore will be issued through the banking channel as working capital at a 4-percent interest rate.